Childminder in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 252037 Inspection date 21 November 2005 Inspector Jackie Nation

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and 3 children, aged 8, 12 and 15 years. They live in Wolverhampton within walking distance of local shops, schools and parks. The childminder uses a self-contained annexe attached to the house for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is registered to look after 6 children under 8 years at any one time. She is currently minding 4 children under 5 years on varied days and 2 children over

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 5 years before and after school and during school holidays. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She has an NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education and is a member of the Wolverhampton NCMA 'Children Come First' Childminding Network. She attends a local toddler group and a local childminder support group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder has a highly effective approach to health and hygiene. Thorough procedures and documents are in place to ensure that children's individual needs are very well met. Children learn about the importance of being healthy through the childminder's skilful support and guidance and through well-established daily routines. They are encouraged to be independent in their self-care skills and know they need to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. The childminder reduces the risk of cross infection by ensuring that her home is clean and well maintained. Physical activity is highly regarded and children are able to develop their physical skills as they take part in a wide range of activities on a daily basis. Children enjoy daily walks to and from school, visits to local parks and farms. They visit toddler groups on a regular basis and enjoy playing in the garden using a very good range of

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Helping children to be healthy

equipment. This helps children develop positive attitudes to exercise and promotes their health and well-being. Children are able to rest and play according to their own needs. The childminder has developed good routines for sleep times, which ensures that children are well rested. Children are well nourished and kept hydrated. They are becoming aware of good nutrition as the childminder discusses healthy eating and selecting healthy options with them. Children are aware of their own needs, for example, when they need to sleep or rest or when they need a drink. The childminder has clear information on children's dietary requirements and works with the parents to ensure that these requirements are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's awareness of safety is very well fostered both around the home and on outings. The childminder ensures all areas of the premises are safe by thorough risk assessment, being vigilant and supervising the children well. High priority is given to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and maintain safety inside and outside the home. She discusses all aspects of road safety with the children as they walk to and from school by stressing the importance of watching, looking and listening. The childminder gives very good priority to fire safety and emergency evacuation and has written procedures in place. Children are fully involved in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 discussions about the various fire exits and know the procedure to follow in an emergency. All children have access to a superb range of quality toys and resources, which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. Resources have been carefully chosen to support children's play and are regularly checked for hygiene and safety. Toys are made easily accessible and at the children's level so they can independently select resources. Children are very well protected from possible harm or neglect because the childminder is knowledgeable about child protection. The childminder is careful to restrict other people's access to her home and to children whilst she is childminding. She has written policies and documents in place to ensure the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and have established very warm and affectionate relationships with her. Children settle extremely well at the childminder's house, they enter confidently and make themselves at home. The childminder has an exceptional understanding of child development and plans an excellent range of activities for all children to take part in. She has a very good understanding of how children learn and uses Birth to three matters and Foundation Stage guidance to meet children's individual needs. This enhances children's development and helps them acquire new knowledge and skills. Children benefit from socialising with others at local toddler groups and enjoy activities which contribute to their creativity and imagination. This is evident from the range of art work which is effectively displayed in the room. Children enjoy exploring the local environment; they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

visit local parks, the library and local farms. Children display high levels of confidence in their daily activities and are developing very good independence skills. They enjoy sociable lunchtimes and busy themselves and become absorbed in their activities. Children's early communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality interaction with the childminder as they discuss their activities and talk about what they are doing. Children's understanding of shape, number and colour are naturally encouraged by the childminder during activities and daily routines. Their interest in the natural world and their surroundings is fostered during discussions and on walks and outings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs and characters are clearly understood and respected by the childminder. All children are welcomed into this family environment and this contributes to their sense of belonging. The childminder provides a meaningful range

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. She is sensitive towards inclusion and has good knowledge and experience of caring for children with special needs. She keeps up to date with current thinking and procedures relating to identifying concerns and providing support. Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder is a positive role model and has a clear and consistent approach to behaviour management. This ensures children know what is expected of them and they feel secure. The childminder uses her effective skills to encourage children to share, take turns and think about others. This helps them develop their relationships with one another and promotes their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

self-esteem. The excellent partnership with parents and carers contributes significantly to the children's care and well-being. The childminder has very comprehensive systems in place for sharing information with parents to meet children's individual needs. She gathers and shares extensive information with parents, including daily feedback on their children's care, routine and activities. Parents are well informed of their child's achievements and progress. This ensures that children's care, well-being and development are greatly enhanced.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enriched by the childminder's highly effective organisation of time, space and resources. Consistent routines and effective support ensure children feel a sense of belonging and part of the family. This means that children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children. The childminder continues to extend her knowledge and skills by attending training. This knowledge is shared with new childminders when she carries out her role as mentor. She is up to date with current issues and good practice in early years care and learning. She regularly attends local childminding network training sessions and meetings, incorporating new ideas, procedures and resources into her provision to further enrich children's play and learning. Children benefit from the childminder's sound and secure knowledge of child

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Organisation

development and of her legal duties. All required documentation is in place and regularly reviewed, policies and procedures are shared with parents, which means they clearly know about the provision and the care their child receives. Polices and procedures work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. The quality of the provision is very high. The needs of all the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has taken appropriate action to follow up the two recommendations

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 from the last inspection regarding the children's access to the monkey puzzle tree and making sure that low-level glass is safe or inaccessible to children. The childminder has positioned a fence around the tree to prevent children's access and the glass cabinet has been removed. The action taken ensures children are kept safe from potential hazards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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